Frederick, Maryland, United States - Daily Mass Reading & Catholic Meditation “The Word Among Us” for Tuesday, 1 July 2014

Frederick, Maryland, United States - Daily Mass Reading & Catholic Meditation “The Word Among Us” for Tuesday, 1 July 2014
Meditations: Matthew 8:23 When he got into a boat, his disciples followed him. 24 Behold, a violent storm came up on the sea, so much that the boat was covered with the waves, but he was asleep. 25 They came to him, and woke him up, saying, “Save us, Lord! We are dying!”
26 He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the wind and the sea, and there was a great calm.
27 The men marveled, saying, “What kind of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Blessed Junípero Serra, Priest
I will worship at your holy temple in fear of you, O Lord. (Psalm 5:8)
Anyone who lives in the colder regions of the globe understands how tricky walking on an icy lake can be. A heavy fire truck could park on one section, but a mere one hundred meters away is a section incapable of supporting a small child. Everyone knows it’s naïve to believe that the ice will always support you. You need a healthy dose of wisdom combined with caution. It’s kind of a balanced fear, in which you know you have to be careful, but you don’t stay off the ice altogether.
We can see this concept of balanced fear in today’s readings.
First, we meet Amos, who warned the Israelites against becoming presumptuous because God has “favored” them over all other people (Amos 3:2). They shouldn’t have let their status as the “chosen people” make them think they could ignore God’s commands. They thought that as long as they performed their ritual sacrifices, they were safe. But really, they were on very thin ice.
Then, in the Gospel reading, we see the loyal apostles on a storm-tossed boat, fearful that Jesus won’t protect them. This time, we see people on very solid footing, but still afraid that they might drown. But Jesus assures them that even if he appears to be asleep, he is with them and will protect them.
Jesus is our one true foundation. He is as solid as a completely frozen lake. That means that we can trust his guidance, his protection, and his salvation completely; he’ll never let us down. The only way we get on thin ice is if we take him and his love for granted, as the Israelites did.
Clearly, a little bit of balanced fear is a good thing. It keeps us close to the Lord, but it doesn’t make us so anxious that we’re not willing to take risks every now and then.
“Lord, show me the areas of thin ice in my life. Help me stay close to you so that I can embrace the plans you have for our friendship.” Amen.
Amos 3:1 Hear this word that Yahweh has spoken against you, children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up out of the land of Egypt, saying:
2 “You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth.
    Therefore I will punish you for all of your sins.”
3 Do two walk together,
    unless they have agreed?
4 Will a lion roar in the thicket,
    when he has no prey?
Does a young lion cry out of his den,
    if he has caught nothing?
5 Can a bird fall in a trap on the earth,
    where no snare is set for him?
Does a snare spring up from the ground,
    when there is nothing to catch?
6 Does the trumpet alarm sound in a city,
    without the people being afraid?
Does evil happen to a city,
    and Yahweh hasn’t done it?
7 Surely the Lord Yahweh will do nothing,
    unless he reveals his secret to his servants the prophets.
8 The lion has roared.
    Who will not fear?
The Lord Yahweh has spoken.
    Who can but prophesy?
4:11 “I have overthrown some of you,
    as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah,
    and you were like a burning stick plucked out of the fire;
    yet you haven’t returned to me,” says Yahweh.
12 “Therefore thus will I do to you, Israel;
    because I will do this to you,
    prepare to meet your God, Israel
Psalm 5:4 For you are not a God who has pleasure in wickedness.
    Evil can’t live with you.
5 The arrogant shall not stand in your sight.
    You hate all workers of iniquity.
6 You will destroy those who speak lies.
    Yahweh abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
7 But as for me, in the abundance of your loving kindness I will come into your house.
    I will bow toward your holy temple in reverence of you.
8 Lead me, Yahweh, in your righteousness because of my enemies.
    Make your way straight before my face.
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